Memoirs of Milwaukee County : from the earliest historical times down to the present, including a genealogical and biographical record of representative families in Milwaukee County, Volume II, Part 94

Author: Watrous, Jerome Anthony, 1840- ed
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Madison : Western Historical Association
Number of Pages: 1072

USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Memoirs of Milwaukee County : from the earliest historical times down to the present, including a genealogical and biographical record of representative families in Milwaukee County, Volume II > Part 94

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Max Kantak is the senior member of the well-known firm of Kantak Brothers, 567 Lincoln avenue, commission merchants and dealers in flour, feed, baled hay, shavings, and all kinds of bran and middlings. He is a native of Konitz, German Poland, son of Mathias and Elizabeth (Roztankowski) Kantak, who immigrated to the United States in 1872. The family made Milwaukee their home, and Mathias Kantak and his wife died there. Their family con- sisted of five children: Martha, wife of Frank Bartoszewski; Annie, wife of Joseph Rechlicz; Max, John, and Joseph (deceased).

747

BIOGRAPHICAL

Max Kantak was born Oct. 31, 1871, attended Milwaukee parochial schools, was first employed by Amos Schneider as a wine refiner, and later by F. W. Hartman in the same business. In 1899, with his brother John, Max Kantak engaged in the commission busi- ness on a small capital. Their venture prospered from the first, and the business has grown rapidly until it has become widely known. The establishment of Kantak Brothers is one of the fore- most commission houses in the city, and the firm is one of the most prominent on the south side. Mr. Kantak is a wide-awake and progressive citizen, active in every project which promises the bet- terment of the community. He is a loyal adherent of the principles of the Democratic party and takes an active interest in political matters. He was elected alderman from the Fourteenth ward in the spring of 1908. He is devoted to the interests of his neighborhood and can be relied upon to give his ward efficient representation in the city council. Mr. Kantak's business success has been attained by fair and honorable dealings, and his popularity by sincerity and freedom from prejudice. On May 17, 1898, Mr. Kantak was mar- ried to Miss Jennie Rozanowski, daughter of Joseph Rozanowski, of Milwaukee. The marriage has been blessed by the birth of four children : Amelia, Edward, Max, and Rose. Mr. Kantak and his family are members of St. Stanislaus Polish Roman Catholic Church, and Mr. Kantak belongs to the Polish National Alliance, St. Roman Society, and the Woodmen of the World.

Louis Schreibeis, a licensed undertaker and embalmer of 496 Kinnickinnic avenue, Milwaukee, Wis., was born at Two Rivers, Manitowoc county, Wisconsin, March 26, 1872. His parents, Bar- tholomew and Gertrude (Romer) Schreibeis, were both born in Germany, and were pioneers of Manitowoc county, where they settled at an early day. They reared a family of six children : John ; Annie, wife of Joseph Glanz; Rosa, the widow of Alphonse Briel- main; Louis, Henry, and Joseph. The father spent his life in Two Rivers, where he died, a great loss to the community and deeply mourned by his cihldren. Louis received his scholastic advantages in the parochial schools of Two Rivers, and after finishing his stud- ies, learned the art of church decoration, in which he was very successful. For twelve years Mr. Schreibeis followed this profes- sion, part of the time in Two Rivers, and later in Milwaukee, where he located in 1888. Seven years later, in 1905, he decided to make a change in business, and established himself at his present location as undertaker and embalmer. To-day Mr. Schreibeis is one of the most successful and popular men in his profession in the Bay View district. On Oct. 17, 1899, he was united in marriage with Matilda, daughter of 'Louis Bauschek, of Milwaukee. Four children have been born to them: Marie, Gertrude, Joseph, and Cecilia. Mr. Schreibeis belongs to the congregation of St. Augustine's Roman Catholic church and is a popular member of St. Peters's Catholic Society, St. Pius' Catholic Society, and the Bay View Lieder- fraund Singing Society. He is also a member of the State Under- takers' Association.

748

MEMOIRS OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY

Charles A. Higgins, deceased, a prominent and prosperous bus- iness man of Milwaukee, was born at Brookfield, Waukesha county, Wisconsin, May 10, 1849, and was the son of Jones and Jane (Springstred) Higgins, both natives of New York state. Jones Hig- gins was born in 1815 and spent his earlier years in his native state, coming west when a young man. The country was at that time a part of the frontier, and there was little to occupy the new-comers except the clearing and cultivating of the soil. To this occupation Mr. Higgins devoted himself, obtaining land in the vicinity of Brookfield, and there he spent the greater portion of his life. After reaching the period when he no longer felt able to superintend the management of the farm, he retired and spent his closing years in the city of Waukesha. To Mr. and Mrs. Higgins were born five children-two daughters and three sons-of whom Charles A. was ·the oldest. He acquired his early education in the country schools of the town of Brookfield, later becoming a student of Carroll Col- lege, Waukesha, in which institution he was graduated. After leaving college he taught school for a short time and then removed to Milwaukee, where he engaged in the fish business, following the same with financial success until the time of his death. This occurred on June 4, 1904, and was sudden and unexpected, as he returned from business and had eaten his supper in, apparently, his usual health. During the night he was taken ill and died before morning. In politics, Mr. Higgins was allied with the Republican party, although not especially active in that line, and he ranked high in fraternal circles, having taken the Thirty-second degree in the order of Free Masons, and was a member, also, of the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. On April 21, 1880, he was united in marriage to Lily-daugh- ter of George W. and Helen (Hutchins) Laurence, of Lowell, Mass.,-who survives him.

Charles Miksch, a popular carpenter, contractor and builder, of Milwaukee, is a native of Bohemia. He was born on Sept. II, 1859, and is a son of Joseph and Theresa (Werner) Miksch. The parents came to this country in 1867 and located in the town of Oak Creek, Milwaukee county. There the father engaged in agri- cultural pursuits until 1883, and in that year he retired from active labor and removed to the city, where he died in 1887 at the age of sixty-eight years. There were eight children in the family: Frank ; Josephine, wife of William Illman; Theresa, wife of George Dantz- mann : Gustav : Frances, deceased wife of John Kauzer; Lina, de- ceased wife of Jacob Schwartz: Wenzel, deceased ; and Charles, the subject of this review. Charles was reared in Milwaukee county from his eighth year, and received his educational advantages in the public schools here. After three years of apprenticeship in the carpenter trade under the preceptorship of Henry Buestrin, he served six years as a journeyman and in 1885 established a business under his own name. The venture proved a success from the start. due in large measure to Mr. Miksch's habits of strictest honesty and thorough workmanship. He gives especial attention to the erection

749

BIOGRAPHICAL

of flat buildings, and he has achieved a great success in that line. In political matters Mr. Miksch is allied with the Democratic party, and in the campaign of 1908 was a candidate on the Democratic ticket for member of the assembly from the Eleventh district, going down in defeat with his party associates. On two previous occa- sions he was a candidate for the same position, and went down in defeat with his party, but his popularty brought him many votes more than the balance of the ticket received. Fraternally he is prominent as president and secretary of the united Catholic Soci- eties, president of St. Anthony's Society and as a member of St. Michael's Society. His other business interests include the presi- dency of the South Side Building & Loan Association and a trustee- ship in the Mitchell Street State Bank. In 1887 he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Draeger, a daughter of Martin and Elizabeth Draeger, of Milwaukee. To this union have been born seven children : Aloysius W., Joseph, George, Martin, Charles A., Mary, and Anna. The family are all communicants of the Roman Catholic Church.

Leslie Eugene Cherry, D. O., deceased, was born in Rice county, Minnesota, Dec. 27, 1865, the son of William Cherry, of Peru, Ohio, and Mary (Terry) Cherry, a native ofRipley, N. Y. The parents came to Minnesota in December, 1865, and located in Rice county, where the father died in 1884. The mother is living with a daughter in Erie, Ill. There were three children in the family : Sarah, wife of Rev. Wallace Mather, a direct descendant of Cotton Mather, of Colonial times, and a nephew of Ray Palmer, the hymn writer ; Ella, wife of Charles Lathe, of Erie, Ill., and Leslie Eugene. The mother of our subject traces her ancestry to Samuel Terry. who came to this country from England in 1650, settling in Spring- field, Mass. Leslie Eugene Cherry was educated in the public schools of Faribault, Rice county, and at Pillsbury Academy, Owatonna, Minn. He began his business life in the capacity of a traveling salesman ; first for a Mr. Gauswitz, a druggist of Owa- tonna, and later for A. L. Hill, of Faribault, Barnard Brothers & Cope, and W. T. Rolph & Company, all furniture manufacturers, of Minneapolis, Minn. Though his business career had been char- acterized by success from the beginning, his desires had always led him toward a professional life; accordingly he matriculated in the University of Minnesota, expecting to take up the work in that institution, but becoming interested in the science of Osteopathy he finally decided to cast in his lot with the pioneers of this new system of therapy. He accordingly entered, together with his wife, the Northern Institute of Osteopathy at Minneapolis, Minn .. in which they both graduated in September. 1897. They came to Milwaukee immediately, renting offices in the Matthews Building and termed their enterprise the Milwaukee Institute of Osteopathy. Though Osteopathy was practically unknown to the city, Dr Cherry soon won friends for himself and his system, the believers in the new method being cultured people who were drawn to it by the rationale of the treatment and the skill of its application. In

750

MEMOIRS OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY

September, 1898, the Milwaukee Institute of Osteopathy was in- corporated as an educational institution, Dr. Cherry becoming president and his wife vice-president. A class of twelve intelligent young men and women matriculated in this, the only school of Osteopathy ever recognized in the state. The personnel of this first class testifies to the character of the work done by the Drs. Cherry, one being a prominent medical practitioner, one a Young Men's Christian Association instructor, and several teachers and business men. The young school soon outgrew its quarters in the office building and the old Milwaukee-Downer College building, at the corner of Juneau avenue and Milwaukee street, was obtained and fitted for its purposes. At this time the corporate name was changed to the Milwaukee College of Osteopathy. This large building was well adapted for its new uses. A portion was fur- nished as a sanitarium, however, the practice of Osteopathy hav- ing never been abandoned by Dr. Cherry, and the need of such an institution being felt in his constantly growing practice. We are told that history repeats itself. This was proven in the introduc- tion of Osteopathy in Wisconsin, for with the successful endeavors of the Drs. Cherry and their colleagues in establishing not only the college but also an influential patronage, came also the bitter oppo- sition of the older schools of medicine, the practitioners of which considered the new system an imposter, coming as it did without their knowledge or approval. This opposition culminated in the arrest by the State Board of Health of an accredited graduate of Osteopathy who had recently located in the city, and who therefore was the most vulnerable, not having a clientele to assist in his de- fense. The charge brought was that of "practicing medicine with- out a license." Dr. Cherry was called into court to explain the sys- tem; taking a skeleton he lectured and demonstrated the science in a masterly way, making converts as he spoke. The next session of the state legislature saw the enactment of a law giving Osteop- athy legal recognition, due in large part to Dr. Cherry's unremit- ting activities. However, the law which protected the individual practitioner put the college out of business by requiring a course so regulated as to make it impossible for the Milwaukee college to compete with those in other states. Accordingly, after graduating three classes of students, many of whom have since become promi- nent in the profession, the Milwaukee College of Osteopathy was merged with the parent institution at Kirksville, Mo., and Dr. Cherry was left, after the arduous duties as college president and instructor, to carry on his work as a private practitioner with a clientele so enlarged as to call forth every energy of mind and body. He was never too ill to respond to the call of the sick and never too hurried to listen to the story of those in distress; he was the doctor born and not made, strong and true, who gave himself 1in- stintedly to his profession, who, when worn out with its demands, was unable to overcome the inroads of disease; of whom it was said by one familiar with his life, "He saved others, himself he could not save." Dr. Cherry was a firm believer in the Young

751

BIOGRAPHICAL

Men's Christian Association, was a charter member of this organi- zation ať Faribault, Minn., and was ever ready to assist in its work. He was a Baptist in religious belief, and a deacon in the First Baptist Church of Milwaukee at the time of his death. In politics he was a Republican, was a member of the Masonic order and other similar organizations, the Milwaukee Athletic Club and Knights of Pythias. On July 5, 1893, he married Esther II., daughter of Edwin C. and Minerva (Hopkins) Sanders, of Brook- lyn Center, Minn., and to them was born one child, Edwin San- ders Cherry, Oct. 14, 1902. Mrs. Cherry's father was born in Cat- araugus county, New York, June 26, 1826; her mother, who traces her ancestry to two signers of the Declaration of Independence, was born in New Brunswick. The father attended school in Springville, N. Y., entered the Baptist ministry, came west and located at Oshkosh, Wis., in 1852, and there he organized the First Baptist church and served it as its pastor for two years. He then went to Le Sueur, Minn., where he was pastor until the beginning of the Civil war, at which time he organized Company G, Tenth Minnesota infantry on Aug. 15, 1862, and was chosen captain of the same. While the regiment was still in the process of organization the outbreak of the Sioux Indians occurred, signalized by the mas- sacres at the Indian agencies. Captain Sanders, with a portion of his company, assisted in the defense of New Ulm, where the In- dians were defeated, and in which engagement he received a bullet wound in his side. His company was one of those detailed to be prsent at the execution of the condemned Indians on Dec. 26, 1863. Later it was in the engagement at Dead Buffalo Lake, where it bore the brunt of the attack, being flanked on both sides by 4,000 Indians before the other regiments were in position. The regi- ment left the state for southern battle fields on Oct. 7, 1863, and among other engagements Captain Sanders fought at Tupelo and Holly Springs, Miss., Nashville, Tenn., and Mobile, Ala. After the battle of Nashville in December, 1864, he was promoted to the rank of major and was mustered out on Aug. 16, 1865, with an honorable discharge. After the war he returned to his extensive farm, where he rested for a year, and then re-entered the ministry, in which profession he served continuously until 1900, when he retired, locat- ing in Milwaukee, where, on Aug. 29, 1908, he answered the last roll call and passed on to meet his Creator, whom he had served so well. His wife still resides in Milwaukee. Dr. Cherry died on March 23, 1906, in the full vigor of his manhood. His untimely death was a shock to all who knew him and was deeply mourned by his large circle of friends. Gentle and courteous in manner, tin- pretentious in his bearing, he was an example of the best type of a Christian gentlemant.

Wendelin Bautz .- Among all the peoples of Europe who have been attracted to this country by promises of fortune, freedom in religious belief, or a refuge from political persecutions, none have contributed more to the nation or the great commonwealth of Wisconsin than the original German settlers. Men of the Teuton

752

MEMOIRS OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY

race made ideal immigrants for the settlement of the two western states-Wisconsin and Michigan-where they settled in largest numbers. One of this worthy German element is Mr. Bautz, who was born in the beautiful valley of the blue Danube river, at Sig- maringen, Hohenzellern, Germany, Jan. 22, 1841. He is the son of Wendelin and Magdelina (Diring) Bautz, born in Hohenzollern in 1803 and 1797, respectively. The father was a mason contractor in the Fatherland and constructed many of the government build- ings in Germany. On Oct. 12, 1854, he sailed from Germany with his family and landed in New York on Nov. 20 of the same year. Three months later Mr. Bautz went to Columbia county, New York, and remained there until May 1, 1856, when he brought his family to Milwaukee, arriving on May 8. For four years he worked at different occupations, mostly repair work, but in May, 1860, he moved to a farm which he bought in the town of Oak Creek, and he lived there until 1874, when he retired from active life to enjoy his sunset years in a well-earned respite from work. In 1886 his wife died and he went to live with his son, the subject of this sketch. In 1889 Mr. Bautz was called to his last long journey and was laid to rest in the old cemetery at St. Francis, beside his wife and loving helpmate. They had reared a family of twelve children, of whom only three are still living. Wendelin, the subject of this sketch, received the elements of a practical education in the schools of his native land. He was ambitious, and in order to go to school at all he worked for his board and clothes on a farm and attended school three days of the week. After coming to Wisconsin his first labors were in a brick yard in Milwaukee for about six months. He then worked in a bakery, owned by his brother-in-law, on Reed street, Milwaukee. Subsequently he returned to his parents' home in Oak Creek and remained there from 1860 to 1874. He was ambi- tious and rented a farm in the town of Lake for four years. There he prospered, and he moved from this first land to a farm where the town of Cudahy now stands. He rented for five years, and in 1883 purchased the land. Eight years later, in 1891, the Cudahy brothers were looking for a suitable piece of land for their packing houses, and they bought Mr. Bautz's farm and he moved to his former home, where he resided until he retired from active life. Mr. Bautz is sixty-eight years of age and may be considered a re- markable old gentleman, his memory being as good as that of a young man, and he is still well preserved and takes an active inter- est in the affairs of the day. He is a Democrat, but in local affairs is not bound by any party ties, voting as his conscience dictates and for the man who, in his opinion, is most worthy. He was path- master for four years for the town of Lake. On Nov. 4, 1869, Mr. Bautz was united in marriage with Agnes, the daughter of Gerhart and Elizabeth (Krueger) Dirksmeier, residents of Milwaukee. The following children came to bless the home of Mr. Bautz: Agatha E., born Oct. 26, 1870; Nicholas W., born Oct. 14, 1871 ; John W., born Dec. 25, 1872, deceased; Elizabeth M., born March 22, 1874; Andrew J., born July 25, 1877, and Charles M., born Jan. 28, 1879,

753

BIOGRAPHICAL

who bought a suburban residence in Fernwood in 1892, in which he lived until his death in 1900. Agatha is now the wife of Williani Grobschmidt. of South Milwaukee; Elizabeth married Eugene West, of Milwaukee; Nicholas lives at home, and Andrew is in business in Milwaukee. Mr. Bautz was reared in the Catholic faith and is a member of that church.

George Henry Stevens, deceased, one of the early residents of Milwaukee, who was prominently identified with the retail grocery interests of the city, was born in New York city in September, 1835. He was the son of John and Lucy (Bancroft) Stevens, both of whom were natives of the same place. John Stevens was a ship merchant and carried on an extensive trade in New York city for many years. He and his wife reared a family of five children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the fourth. George came of a family that had means, and he received his educational advantages in the private schools of New York city. He recognized that greater opportunities were offered in the West for an ambitious young man, and he followed the tide of migration that was setting steadily westward, and located in Milwaukee, where he established himself in the grocery business at the corner of West Water street and Grand avenue. His business thrived and he built up a substan- tial and prosperous house through fair dealing and care in furnish- ing the best the market afforded for his patrons. Mr. Stevens was born and reared in the North, and when the Civil war was precipi- tated upon a divided country, he was loyal to the institutions and inherent rights of the Union and manifested his allegiance in no equivocal way. At the first call for volunteers he enlisted as captain of Company A, Second Wisconsin infantry, which was organized in May, 1861, and mustered in on June II; it left the state on June 20 and was the first regiment of three-year men to appear at Washington. Almost immediately this regiment was as- signed to the army of the Potomac and participated in the first battle of Bull Run. Later the history of the regiment became merged with the famous "Iron Brigade." Captain Stevens showed marked ability as a commander and was rapidly advanced from captain to major of his regiment in 1862, and before the year closed received his commission as lieutenant-colonel of the Second Wis- consin. He took part in the engagements at Warrenton and Sud- ley roads, and led the regiment when it stormed the enemy's posi- tion at South Mountain. At Antietam the brigade to which the Second Wisconsin belonged dislodged the enemy after a severe con- flict, and at Fredericksburg it held an exposed position, subject to heavy fire. At Gettysburg the regiment led the marching column and was the first to meet the enemy, advancing upon him and re- ceiving a volley that cut down over thirty per cent. of the rank and file, and here the gallant colonel laid down his life for his country-unselfish, devoted, upright and kindly, with nothing in his heart but love for his fellow men, but with a still higher love of justice and right which led him to battle to preserve the union of his country. A gallant soldier and true, the Second Wisconsin lost

754

MEMOIRS OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY

one of the ablest and most loved commanders when he breathed his last amid the roar of battle. On March 24, 1859, Mr. Stevens was united in marriage with Harriet Louise, the daughter of Ed- mund S. and Harriet E. (Van Wert) Purdy, of Fox Lake, Wis. Mrs. Stevens' parents were natives of New York city . Mr. Purdy was an architect and came west in 1846, when Wisconsin was still a territory and an almost unbroken wilderness. He located in Fox Lake and practiced his profession until his demise, which occurred in 1892. Both he and his wife, who died in 1889, were members of the Congrgational church, which lost two of its most stanch supporters when they passed away. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Stevens, and they remained to comfort the bereaved mother, who was left to face the world alone when her husband was killed. Walter B. Stevens is a druggist at Sibley, Ia., and Lulu L. is the wife of Robert S. Hunter, of Fox Lake, Mrs. Stevens' old home. During his life Mr. Stevens gave his allegiance unreservedly to the Republican party. Both he and his wife were members of St. James' Episcopal Church. He was affiliated with the order of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.

Gen. Otto Herbert Falk, whose name is prominently connected with the National Guard organization of the state and the business development of Milwaukee, was born at Wauwatosa, Milwaukee county, on June 18, 1865. He is a son of Franz and Louise ( Wahl) Falk, a brief review of whose lives appear elsewhere in the bio- graphical section of this work in the sketch of Herman W. Falk, another son. General Falk received his preliminary education at the German-English Academy and then completed a course in the Northwestern University of Watertown, Wis. Having a desire to become conversant with military affairs, he matriculated at the Allen Military Academy at Chicago and graduated at that institu- tion as ranking captain. His military career has continued many years and he has served in many capacities. After graduation from the academy he became a member of the Light Horse Squadron Cadet Corps, and on March 9, 1886, entered the military service of the state as adjutant of the Fourth infantry, Wisconsin National Guard. Within two months he took an active part in the suppres- sion of the riots which broke out simultaneously in Milwaukee and Chicago, and by his conduct so attracted the attention of Governor Rusk that he was appointed aide-de-camp on the governor's per- sonal staff. On Aug. 24, 1887, he was promoted to the rank of major of the Fourth battalion, and on Oct. 29 of the same year was made lieutenant-colonel. Upon the inauguration of Governor George WV. Peck he was appointed quartermaster-general of the Wisconsin National Guard, his commission bearing date of Jan. 5, 1891. By appointment of the governor, General Falk became adjutant-gen- eral of the state militia on Dec. 5. 1893, and at the time of his pro- motion to the office was the youngest man who had ever held that important office. On his own application, and in accordance with the laws of Wisconsin, he was placed on the retired list on Jan. 10, 1895. He had been commended in general orders by the

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Memoirs of Milwaukee County : from the earliest historical times down to the present, including a genealogical and biographical record of representative families in Milwaukee County, Volume II, Part 94

Author: Watrous, Jerome Anthony, 1840- ed Publication date: 1909 Publisher: Madison : Western Historical Association Number of Pages: 1072

Author: Watrous, Jerome Anthony, 1840- ed
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Madison : Western Historical Association
Number of Pages: 1072